Gary Hewitt

Gary O. Hewitt, 92, of North Kingsville passed into a new life on June 10, 2025. He was born February 28, 1933, the third of four children, to Paul R. Hewitt and Belva (Hoplight) Hewitt in Ashtabula, OH.

Gary graduated from Edgewood High School in 1952 where he participated in football, basketball, track, choir and student government. After high school, he served in the US Navy aboard aircraft carriers until he was honorably discharged in 1954.

That same year he married his high school sweetheart, Alice Bedell, and started a family. He worked as a parts manager at Ashtabula Truck Sales, as a sales agent for Western-Southern Life Insurance and drove bus for Buckeye Local School district.

Gary was known for his entrepreneurial spirit which began at a young age. At just 15, he opened “Gary’s Drive In” in a small building in front of his parents’ home on Route 20. In 1965, he opened “The Loft”, a college bar, in Kent, OH. By 1972, he formed the Covered Bridge Pizza Corporation. The original restaurant is still in operation today. In 1989, he founded Accent Millworks, a manufacturer of cupolas, wine cabinets and display boxes.

He was known for his kindness and generosity and frequently helped others with jobs and mentoring. He gave back to his community as a Boy Scout/Explorer leader and Youth Group organizer at North Kingsville Presbyterian Church. In later years, he served on the Ashtabula County Board of Health and as a director on the Andover Bank Board.

Gary is survived by his four children: Denise Rebrovic (Louis) of New Bremen, OH, Nanette Grasso (Nickolas) of St. Petersburg, FL, Renee Hewitt of Ashtabula and Paul Hewitt of Ashtabula; a brother, William Hewitt (Nancy) of Conneaut, five grandchildren, eight great- grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Alice, his wife of 69 years, two siblings (Donna Johnson and Alan Hewitt) and a grandson (Franklin Grasso).

Visitation will be 4:00-6:00pm with the memorial service immediately following at 6:00pm on June 23, 2025. Afterwards a veterans recognition ceremony will take place in the parking lot of Fleming-Billman Funeral Home, Prospect Avenue, Ashtabula, OH. 

In lieu of flowers, charitable donations may be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Mercy Ships or Hospice of the Western Reserve. 

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